Rockets break out in big way to end slide

Season-high point total ends five-game slide

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WASHINGTON - Any win would do. But the Rockets had to admit this 123-111 win was more fun.

They would have been delighted to score 76 and win as they had in their previous victory, a five-game losing streak ago. But this brought more to thrill, perhaps hearten them. It's hard to roll to a 76-74 win.

Say what they will, NBA players like to score, and the Rockets scored as they have not all season, to say nothing of during their recent scoring drought, blowing past the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night before 14,883 at the MCI Center.

"When the whole team is making shots, it feels great," Rockets forward Juwan Howard said. "We've noticed in the past, when we missed shots, guys have really gotten down on themselves. We're trying so hard. And we've lost some ballgames. It becomes frustrating. But tonight was the total opposite."

The Rockets had averaged 84 points per game, making just 37.1 percent of their shots in their losing streak. Not that they were different Tuesday, but they scored more points, made more shots (43) and had more assists (29) than in any game this season, making a season-best 55.1 percent of their shots.

Tracy McGrady matched his season high with 38 points, with his usual six rebounds and five assists. Howard had a season high of 24 points. Dikembe Mutombo had a season-high 11 rebounds. Rafer Alston had a season-high 17 points to go with a season-high 10 assists.

"We all felt a sense of urgency," Alston said. "Coach was talking about it, 'Play, have fun, but we have to start turning things around before this season gets out of hand.' "

Even with McGrady scoring 38, the Rockets were uncharacteristically balanced, with six players scoring in double figures as they took their lead to as much as 26 in the third quarter, having pounced on the Wizards to start the game and the second half.

"We came out with a burst of energy in the first half, and it carried over to the second half," McGrady said. "We had a lot of guys making shots and playing great defense. The intensity from the beginning of the first quarter was there; our focus, our intensity, everything was there where we needed it to be. It helps when shots are falling, as well."

Wizards fight back

Through three quarters, the Wizards had made just 37.9 percent of their shots, making just one of nine to start the second half. But they finished the third quarter with a rush, and when the Rockets went through their usual fourth-quarter lull, the Wizards got on a roll.

"I think in the last quarter, neither team would use it on a teaching tape for defense," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I know Gilbert Arenas gets credit, but he's Allen Iverson in a different package as far as body size and strength. He's competitive. He's quick. He attacks. He makes 3s."

He finished with 44 points, the most anyone has scored against the Rockets this season. McGrady had been keeping pace, scoring 23 in the first half. But McGrady missed his first nine shots of the second half, before turning it around down the stretch.

When Stromile Swift was called for a flagrant foul on an Antonio Daniels drive, Daniels made both free throws and Arenas drained a 3-pointer, pulling the Wizards within eight.

They could get no closer, unable to get stops the rest of the way. For that matter, the Rockets' offense scored on its last eight possessions.

'Defensively challenged'

This is nothing new for the Wizards, whom Washington coach
Eddie Jordan
said are "defensively challenged."

The Wizards' last seven opponents have averaged 111 points. But such details did not matter to the Rockets. Before Tuesday, 111, their previous high this season, would have seemed far beyond their reach. When they left, they had all kinds of shiny new season bests.

"If we would have scored 76 points and they scored 71, we would have been satisfied," Howard said. "But I will say it is a really good feeling."